No matter how many Chinese media (newspapers or online news service) claims to be independent, it is a false statement. After so many years of infiltration by CCP, even Facebook cannot resist the pressure from Beijing, how can we expect other Chinese papers?

In the past five years, we have observed the change in Hong Kong: disappearing of publishers, decreased number of book stands/shops selling political books (number of newspaper stands reduced from over 3,000 to about 300), and printing factories stop printing political contents. Yet, the world still did not realize the degree of changes and the impact.

Watson Meng, the founder of Boxun, said 10 years ago: “Free press is the low cost option for China to change for democracy”. China needs true independent media that can survive the pressure from Beijing. The only option is Chinese media (online services) funded by foundation or other non-commercial sources.

Yes, there are VOA, RFA and many other Chinese news, but they are far from enough. They cover too little and maybe slow in many incidents. Big news organizations spend hundred of millions a year in Chinese reporting, the world needs more like Boxun that needs a few millions a year.

While Boxun’s founder has families in China, services like Boxun may need to handover to personnels who do not have connections to China.

It is a time to act differently. China’s future does not only affect 1.4 billion Chinese, but the whole world, and the future of the Earth!